Dr. Hilit Mechaber Receives AAMC Award for Exemplary Service

Hilit F. Mechaber, M.D., associate dean for student services at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, has received the Robert “Bob” Sabalis Award for Exemplary Service from the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Southern Group on Student Affairs (SGSA).

From left, Rob Campbell, M.D., SGSA chair; Adrian Jones, J.D., SGSA chair-elect; Hilit F. Mechaber, M.D.; Alex J. Mechaber, M.D.; and Jerry Clark, Ph.D., MBA.

“In my own personal journey as a student affairs professional, I’ve never encountered a colleague so willing to be of help,” said Jerry Clark, Ph.D., MBA, chief student affairs officer and associate dean for student affairs at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, who presented the award to Mechaber. “She’s certainly smarter, busier and more accomplished than I … but ALWAYS willing to stop and listen and help and encourage. She’s awesome. Exactly how I’d like to be before I’m done.”

The Group on Student Affairs says the winner of the Sabalis Award “shall have demonstrated an extraordinary record of accomplishment, collaborative leadership, resourcefulness, dedication, mentoring of SGSA colleagues, and commitment to the mission.”

At the award ceremony in Charlottesville, Va., Clark elaborated on how deserving Mechaber is: “I find it interesting that the theme for this year’s regional conference is ‘wellness’ … because when this year’s Sabalis honoree walks in the room, my health metrics immediately improve. With her on your team your prospects for success drastically improve.”

“Hilit not only brings talent and commitment to her side of medical education, but also heart,” said Laurence B. Gardner, M.D., interim dean of the Miller School. “Her continuing concern is the welfare of our students from every angle: physical, psychological and professional. The Miller School is fortunate to have Dr. Mechaber on our faculty; her award and recognition just reinforce how lucky we are.”

Mechaber expressed her gratitude to colleagues at the Miller School and throughout the region. “I am honored to receive this award from my friends in the SGSA. It is humbling to follow in the footsteps of prior regional leaders, many of whom were pioneers in student affairs, helping pave the way for us to continue providing support, guidance, and development for our future physicians.

“I am especially proud to be part of the best medical education team here at the Miller School of Medicine! Our daily work on behalf of our students is truly a team effort, and I couldn’t ask to be part of a more dedicated and talented group of individuals.”

After the shock of learning she had won the award, Mechaber received another big surprise: the appearance of her husband, Alex J. Mechaber, M.D., senior associate dean for undergraduate medical education, who had been attending the Society of General Internal Medicine meeting in Washington, D.C. When the SGSA let him know that Hilit would be receiving the award, he orchestrated a complicated plan with the support of the Miller School student affairs team to surprise her.

The award is named for Dr. Bob Sabalis, who spent 22 years as an administrator at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, including as associate dean for medical education and academic affairs. Sabalis joined the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) in 2000, serving as director of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) Surveys and Team Training and as LCME assistant secretary.

The Mechabers first met Sabalis in 1993, when they were UM medical students and members of the AAMC’s Organization of Student Representatives. Sabalis was chair of the Southern Group on Student Affairs, which held its annual meeting in Miami that year.

Tags: AAMC, award for exemplary service, Hilit Mechaber, student services